Hubris
is a Greek word for excessive insolent pride. Once upon a time it described
the epic (albeit usually earned) arrogance of warrior kings and battle
tested Generals. Leonides of Sparta who stood with his 300 against the
vastness of Xerxes Persian army at Thermopylae, Ulysses, Odysseus, and
Agamemnon were all men of monumental egos. However, unlike contemporary
trash talkers, they walked the walk along with talking the talk.

The
recent public fratricides of the Rev. Wright fueling the spitting match
between Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, John Kerry’s
ego infused myopia, Al Gore’s serial selective memory losses,
Hillary Clinton’s revisionist view of the way she ‘disremembers’,
all suggest America is suffering from the toxicity of a hubris epidemic.

General
Charles Krulak, former Marine Corps Commandant, once observed, the Roman
Army Legionnaires, during the time of the 12 Caesars, used to strike
their chest with the right fist and shout “Integritas”.
Integritas means material wholeness, completeness.

When
the Praetorians (Imperial Bodyguards) grew in power they abandoned the
“Integritas” proclamation and replaced it with “Hail
Caesar”, to indicate their heart belonged to their king…not
their unit or a code of ideals. General
Krulak’s entire speech

Wright’s
recent Press Club rant (arguably the worst thing to impact the Obama
dream quest), is a classic example of the worst in contemporary hubris.
Despite a 20 year relationship, which depending on circumstances, the
situation, and phase of the moon, was symbiotic, Wright apparently was
more concerned about his own ego than the potential of his flock, and
for sure his Presidential wannabe sheep.

If
Wright had taken a vacation, stayed out of the limelight (which he apparently
craves like a crack addict does drugs) and not risen to the bait, the
controversy would have abated and the news cycle would have moved on
to the next campaign gaff through natural inertia. Instead, Wright ripped
the scab off the new wound poured a $4-dollar gallon of gasoline on
the smoldering embers before they could die.

Suddenly,
even hopeful democrats, thirsting for ‘change’ are now questioning
the essence of Obama’s character, honesty, and intelligence.

Obama
apparently has had an epiphany and is ‘shocked’ at the vitriolic
mendacity of his spiritual guide of 20 years? Come on…is ANYone,
ANYone buying this?

If,
in fact, Obama is indeed surprised by the revelation of the essence
of Wright, it raises several significant questions which are difficult
to answer:

•
If he was not aware of the true essence of Wright’s beliefs (which
have been consistent, chronic and routine),
o It raises questions about Obama’s intelligence.
• If he was aware of Wright’s deep seated anti-Americanism
and ignored it in order to pander to the black constituency who agrees
with Wright,
o It raises questions about Obama’s integrity.
• If he was aware of, and did in fact disagreed with Wright, why
did he not EVER articulate is disagreement over 20 years?
o It would suggest duplicity.

There
are no good answers for Obama. He is either stupid (not likely), smarmy
(probably) or duplicitous (you betcha). His diffidence in addressing
the beast in the living room implies major naiveté. None of which
are desired predicates in a President.

Meanwhile,
despite the almost fatal blow, timing seems to be on Obama’s side.
DNC Chairman Howard Dean, former President Jimmy Carter, and the ‘establishment’
party honcho’s want the Clinton / Obama spitting match concluded
by early June. However, political dynamics being what they are, continuing
the fight frankly could/would actually help the party and salvage Hillary’s
foundering campaign.

Hillary
has already reduced Obama’s 20-point lead in North Carolina down
to single digits and she is expected to win Indiana. She has won all
the ‘big’ states and there has still been no resolution
to what will or won’t happen with Florida and Michigan.

IF,
the party forces Clinton to withdraw before the Denver convention, it
is conceivable Obama could lose to the once presumed dead Senator John
McCain by 40 states.

Despite
the assurances of Carter and Democrat poobah’s that whoever loses
the nomination will support the nominee, hug, campaign, and sing kumbaya
in Denver, reality and polling data suggests otherwise.

Gallup
has reported that 28% of Hillary supporters say if she isn’t the
nominee they will bail. They either will not vote OR will support McCain
as the lesser of available evils. 20% of Obama supporters have indicated
if their guy isn’t the nominee, they will bail and either not
show up or support McCain as the lesser of available evils.

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Keep
in mind also, that the significant increase in voter registration has
come largely from the ‘new voters’ that are overwhelmingly
supporters of Obama.

"Geoff Metcalf is a nationally
syndicated radio talk show host for TALK AMERICA and a veteran media performer.
He has had an eclectic professional background covering a wide spectrum
of radio, television, magazine, and newspapers. A former Green Beret and
retired Army officer he is in great demand as a speaker. Visit Geoff's